❝The only kind of love I want is one where even if it is just for a short moment, it feels like I have lived a lifetime in that moment with that person. ❞ - Jhanvi Raichand.
**You CANNOT read this as standalone. Read Dare to Be before reading this...
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Arshiya is sharing some details of her recent cruise when I spot a familiar face that is definitely not invited. I put my hand on her shoulder as I stand up from the chair to interrupt her, "Sorry, dove. Be right back. Get something to eat meanwhile, kay?"
"Cool, but hurry. Lots more to tell!" She replies as she too stands up and walks towards where all the food is set up.
Taking a detour to Vikas, I nod for him to follow me before approaching the intruder, "Didn't I tell you I never want to see you again?"
Hiten raises one hand as he replies, "Look, Raizada, I am not here to stir up trouble. I just got back yesterday, and my sister told me Jhanvi visited and had some questions. Left this address behind. I'm here just because of that."
I take a moment to assess his intentions. Jhanvi and I did argue about this when she told me after the fact she visited him but he wasn't home. The only cause of the argument was that I didn't like that she went by herself and felt the need to keep it from me. I wasn't unreasonable. I did understand that she had questions and he had answers. Then, she had made the argument that she hadn't gone by herself. Aarush had tagged along. That had been the only reason I had let the matter go.
"I'll get her," I eventually announce my decision, "Vikas."
"Yeah," he gets my unsaid instruction. Watch the guy like a hawk till I get back with Jhanvi. No way am I letting him roam around the premises unattended when my younger siblings are around.
Sending him one last warning glare, I take my cue to find Jhanvi.
As I had last seen her venturing inside the house, I check there first and sure enough, find her sitting on the couch talking to dad. The two look up at me, ready to invite me to their conversation when the smiles pause - perhaps seeing the expression on my face. She asks in concern, "What is it?"
There is no softer way to put this other than the simple relay of information, "Hiten is here."
Dad gets on defensive, "What the hell does he want now?"
Jhanvi places a calming hand on his shoulder, "It's okay. I asked him to come by."
"What? But why?" He asks unable to understand why Jhanvi would want to meet Hiten.
She informs, "Because he has answers, dad. I may be safe now with the power of attorney transferred but that still doesn't get justice for mom and Dinesh. He may be able to tell us who told him about who I am and the will."
Dad stands up being protective, "Then let us talk to him. You don't need to see him again and relive the trauma."
She smiles up at him with a counter, "It's no trauma, dad. You make him sound like a monster. Yes, he isn't the nicest guy out there on the planet and yes, he hurt me, and I was a fool to believe he ever cared for me, but anyone can fall privy to greed. We can't shun them entirely for it."
